Preoperative 3D Imaging Reconstruction Models for Predicting Infiltration of Major Vascular Structures in Patients During Pancreatic Surgery.

IntroductionVascular infiltration is the main limitation of resectability in locally advanced pancreatic cancer; thus, an accurate preoperative study is mandatory to plan an appropriate surgical strategy. In recent years, medical image fusion and three-dimensional reconstruction models have gained acceptance in general surgery, especially in the hepatic field. In pancreatic pathology, 3D reconstruction also may improves preoperative staging.

Most prominent challenges in translational neuroscience and strategic solutions to bridge the gaps: Perspectives from an editorial board interrogation.

Recent progress in translational neuroscience has significantly advanced our understanding of neurological diseases. Research progress closely went in line with innovations in research methods, which have expanded our insights considerably beyond previous limits. However, despite the development of disease-modifying treatments, therapeutic options in brain diseases still lag behind fundamental discoveries in basic neuroscience.

Modulating Antimicrobial Activity and Structure of the Peptide Esc(1-21) via Site-Specific Isopeptide Bond Formation.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent valid alternatives to conventional antibiotics primarily due to their mechanism of action, which consists of cytoplasmic membrane disruption. However, their clinical application is often limited by cytotoxicity at high concentrations and low intrinsic biostability. To address these limitations, various biochemical approaches have been explored.

Ultra-robust polyurethane/lignin elastomers based on multiscale structural orientation induced by pre-stretching.

This work focuses on a simple approach for designing polyurethane elastomers with ultra-robust properties. Initially, polyurethane/lignin elastomers were synthesized using polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMG) as a soft segment, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) with 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl ether (DO) as hard segments, and lignin nanoparticles (LNP) as a biomacromolecular crosslinker. Subsequently, the resulting elastomers were pre-stretched at certain ratios (), and surprisingly, the pre-stretched polyurethane/lignin elastomer (at the ratio of = 14) displayed significant improvement in mechanical properties, while the tensile strength and toughness values were sharply enhanced from 32.

An overview of randomized clinical trials of fixed-ratio combinations of basal insulin plus GLP-1RA (injectable therapy): Lessons for advancing therapy in people with type 2 diabetes.

Advancing therapy in T2DM with injectables, i.e., basal insulin (BI) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) is recommended after the failure of oral glucose lowering agents (OGLAs), BI alone, or BI in combination with OGLAs, especially in persons with, or at high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Energy Requirements in the Post-ICU Period: An Exploratory Multicenter Observational Study.

Background: There is limited knowledge about nutritional intake and energy needs during the post-intensive care unit (ICU) period and their relationship with clinical outcomes and physical recovery.

Aims And Methods: Thus, this observational multicenter study (Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Santa Maria", Terni and "Madonna del Soccorso" General hospital, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy) aimed, firstly, to measure energy expenditure via indirect calorimetry (IC) (Q-NRG+ Metabolic Monitor, Cosmed, Rome, Italy), derived respiratory quotient (R/Q1) and, malnutrition risk via Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test and body composition through bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA-Akern, Pontassieve, Italy); secondly, to assess their effect on energy needs, body composition and physical rehabilitation steps in critically ill adults after ICU discharge. The provision of nutrients (PIS test) was also recorded.

Clinical and neuroradiological red flags in differential diagnosis of pituitary metastases and PitNETs (adenomas): a surgeon's experience and systematic literature review.

Introduction: Pituitary metastases (PMs) are rare malignancy manifestations, generally deemed to have an extremely poor prognosis. Differential diagnosis from primary pituitary lesions is often difficult, as their features can mimic those of pituitary neuroendocrine tumours (PitNETs). This study aimed to report a single surgeon's experience in managing PMs and to gather the existing evidence on their clinical and neuroradiological presentation to build a model of 'red flags' that help raise the suspicion of PMs in the context of sellar lesions.

A Comparison of Machine Learning-Based Models and a Simple Clinical Bedside Tool to Predict Morbidity and Mortality After Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery in the Elderly.

Frailty in the elderly population is associated with increased vulnerability to stressors, including surgical interventions. This study compared machine learning (ML) models with a clinical bedside tool, the Gastrointestinal Surgery Frailty Index (GiS-FI), for predicting mortality and morbidity in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery. In a multicenter analysis of 937 patients aged ≥65 years, the performance of various predictive models including Random Forest (RF), Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), Stepwise Regression, K-Nearest Neighbors, Neural Network, and Support Vector Machine algorithms were evaluated.

The Modern Role of Basal Insulin in Advancing Therapy in People With Type 2 Diabetes.

Insulin deficiency, often aggravated by insulin resistance, results in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). With the availability of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, basal insulin (BI) therapy is no longer the first-line option after lifestyle modification plus oral agents is insufficient. In contrast to BI, the newer medications require minor titration, lower hyperglycemia in a glucose-dependent manner, and reduce body weight.

Timing and morbidity of loop ileostomy closure after rectal cancer resection: a prospective observational multicentre snapshot study from Multidisciplinary Italian Study group for STOmas (MISSTO).

Purpose: Time to closure and morbidity are significant issues associated with ileostomy reversal after rectal cancer resection. This study aimed to investigate the rate, time, and morbidity associated with ileostomy closure procedure.

Methods: Between February and December 2022, patients who underwent protective ileostomy after rectal cancer surgery across 45 Italian surgical centres were prospectively included.

Impact of Protein and Nutritional Support on the Muscular Status of Critically Ill Patients: A Pilot, Perspective, and Exploratory Study.

Background: Malnutrition and muscle weakness are highly prevalent in critically admitted patients. To overcome sarcopenia and muscle weakness, physical activity and neuromuscular electric stimulation have been introduced with limited efficacy. Thus, several anabolic remedies have been introduced.

Water-membrane partition and the mutant selection window of antimicrobial peptides: insights from liposome studies.

The mutant selection window (MSW) is a range of antimicrobial concentrations, where some bacteria are killed, while others survive. Within this interval resistance may develop. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising class of antimicrobials that generally act by perturbing the integrity of bacterial membranes.

Outcomes of loop ileostomy after rectal resection for cancer: A prospective observational multicenter snapshot study from Multidisciplinary Italian Study group for STOmas (MISSTO).

Background: Diverting ileostomy is a common procedure in rectal cancer surgery, but it is sometimes associated with a nonnegligible rate of complications. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and types of stoma-related complications for ileostomy creation after rectal cancer resection. The secondary aims were to report the indications, the technical details, and the efficacy of stoma care provided by ostomy nurses.

Diagnosing american bison pregnancy during its two last trimesters: Comparison between rectal palpation associated with ultrasonography and hormonal assays in serum or in feces.

The study aimed to propose sensitive, specific and easy pregnancy diagnosis for American Bison. Trans-rectal Palpation and Ultrasonography (TRPUS), concentration of Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins (PAG), Progesterone (P4), Estrone (E1), Estrone-Sulfate (E1S) in serum and P4 and E1S in feces were compared. Immunoassay was used for PAG, whereas steroids were assayed using Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome in pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: clinical characteristics and outcomes.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)/Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS) in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported only anecdotally. This study aimed at describing the clinical features and outcomes of children diagnosed with both IBD and HLH/MAS. Data on IBD and HLH/MAS characteristics, biochemical, microbiological and genetic assessments, treatments, and outcomes were collected from the Italian Pediatric IBD Registry and presented using descriptive statistics.

Preparation of Vitamin--Lignin Nanohybrids with Excellent Biological Activity and Fluorescence Performance.

As a natural renewable biomacromolecule, lignin has some inherently interesting properties such as fluorescence, antioxidation, and antibacterial performance. However, the unsatisfactory fluorescence and biological activities have greatly limited their value-added and large-scale applications. In this work, lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) grafted with vitamin B hybrid nanoparticles (LEVs) were obtained by using ethylenediamine and different contents of vitamin B through a simple hydrothermal method.

Biomarkers of platelet activation in thoroughbreds during their first long-term training.

Physical exercise has an activating effect on platelet function that differs between trained and untrained subjects, depending on the type of exercise and training status. In humans, soluble P-selectin (sP-sel) and platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) are considered reliable markers of platelet activation during exercise. In untrained humans, they increase after transient physical exercise, whereas long-term training induces a decrease in their resting levels due to an improved ability to adapt to hemodynamic changes.

Acute cholecystitis management in high-risk, critically ill, and unfit-for-surgery patients: the Italian Society of Emergency Surgery and Trauma (SICUT) guidelines.

Dealing with acute cholecystitis in high-risk, critically ill, and unfit-for-surgery patients is frequent during daily practice and requires complex management. Several procedures exist to postpone and/or prevent surgical intervention in those patients who temporarily or definitively cannot undergo surgery. After a systematic review of the literature, an expert panel from the Italian Society of Emergency Surgery and Trauma (SICUT) discussed the different issues and statements in subsequent rounds.

Intra-protein interacting collective modes in the terahertz frequency region.

Understanding how proteins work requires a thorough understanding of their internal dynamics. Proteins support a wide range of motions, from the femtoseconds to seconds time scale, relevant to crucial biological functions. In this context, the term "protein collective dynamics" refers to the complex patterns of coordinated motions of numerous atoms throughout the protein in the sub-picosecond time scale (terahertz frequency region).

Protective Effects of Home T2DM Treatment with Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter-2 Inhibitors Against Intensive Care Unit Admission and Mortality in the Acute Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Observational Study in Italy.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a relevant risk factor for severe forms of COVID-19 (SARS coronavrus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] disease 2019), and calls for caution because of the high prevalence of T2DM worldwide and the high mortality rates observed in patients with T2DM who are infected with SARS-CoV-2. People with T2DM often take dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1ras), or sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is), all of which have clear anti-inflammatory effects. The study aimed to compare (i) the severity and duration of hospital stay between patients with T2DM categorized by pre-hospitalization drug class utilization and (ii) the COVID-19-related death rates of those three groups.

Sleep Quality and Its Relationship to Anxiety and Hardiness in a Cohort of Frontline Italian Nurses during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on the psychological and psychopathological status of the population and health care workers in terms of insomnia, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The primary aim of this study was to describe and evaluate the impact of the pandemic on insomnia levels of a cohort of Italian nurses, particularly those involved in the care of COVID-19 patients. The secondary aim was to identify the interaction between insomnia and hardiness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.